Examines present trends as well as the past history of information technology as it affects libraries. Topics include library vision and the need for a redefinition of their role as information middlemen between vendors and consumers; effects of the World Wide Web; and electronic information. (LRW)

A new Danish act regarding library service has initiated several projects in order to promote libraries and to provide library staff experience in using the Internet to communicate with end users. Most public Danish information is found on official World Wide Web sites, and there is a tendency to publish online versions instead of printed…

Discussion of the World Wide Web and the role of academic librarians as online system developers and designers focuses on usability testing. Usability evaluation at OCLC and at the University of Arizona is described, and the integration of the results into their Web and online product designs is discussed. (Author/LRW)

Focuses on the role of digital libraries as facilitators for the use of digital information and describes Walden's Paths, a directed path facility that allows teachers to incorporate Web-based information into their high school curriculum. Discusses teacher training, intellectual property issues, and metadocuments. (LRW)

Describes the Lippincott Library (Warton School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) online chat reference service for students/faculty/staff to ask questions through chat and get an immediate response using a commercial service provided by LivePerson. LivePerson is a real-time text interface between the user who seeks information and the operator…

Describes an Edinburgh-based research project that is exploring issues related to reference work in digital libraries, the role of reference librarians with remote access users, library networking, and collaborative reference work. User experiences and librarian work patterns are related to the design of a prototype Web-based network reference…

This book contains presentations from the 17th annual Computers in Libraries Conference. Topics covered include: chatting with a librarian; verbots for library Web sites; collaborative IT (Information Technology) planning at Montgomery County Public Library (Maryland); designing a local government taxonomy; Weblogs; new roles for librarians in…

This paper contrasts monologic and dialogic World Wide Web services in a library context. The first section contrasts monologic and dialogic ways of understanding human nature and the way knowledge is constructed. The second section describes the dialogic nature and potential of the Web, including intranets as dialogic spaces and the dialog…

This paper discusses readers' advisory services in academic libraries from the 1920s to the present. Highlights include: definition of readers' advisor or advisory; browsing rooms and collections; reasons for the decline of this service in academic libraries; recent decline in reading interest and ability among college students; the importance of…

Includes three articles that consider the effects of the Internet on public library reference services. Highlights include the reliability of Internet information sources, its timeliness as a tool for information access and dissemination, the Internet as change agent for libraries; reference publishing, helping the searcher refine requests, and an…

This paper discusses a vision of the transformation of the library from a repository of printed material to a digital library serving as a complete information center where distant learners can obtain support for their educational aspirations. Future information centers will be distant learner-centered. Factors discussed include: (1) distance…

Theses five reports address five special issues: the effects of the September 11 attacks on information management, including homeland security, Web site information removal, scientific and technical information, and privacy concerns; federal policy for electronic government information; digital rights management and libraries; library Web portal…

This paper discusses changes in information services at university libraries in Israel, focusing on the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Highlights include: combining the 20 departmental libraries at the Technion into one library system; efforts to build the status of the central library as the libraries' leader; the integrated library…

The growth of telecommunications technology for distance learning in the Cyberspace Age has opened many options for studying off-campus from home or office from remote and sparsely populated communities. Higher education is exploring this modern version of correspondence courses with the goal of increasing their student enrollment as well as…

The 25 papers presented at this symposium focus on the future of libraries and library services in an ever evolving Information Age. The papers deal with topics such as: economic and political issues in determining the future of the professionally managed library; adding value to library services; the need for librarians and library educators who…